• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.305-314
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• 2017

Ocean wave energy harvesting is still too expensive despite developing a variety of wave energy converter (WEC) devices. For the cost-effective wave energy harvesting, it can be an effective measure to use existing breakwaters or newly installed breakwaters for both wave control and energy harvesting purposes. In this study, we investigated the functionality of both breakwater and wave-power generator for the oscillating water column (OWC)-type wave energy converter (WEC) installed in a pneumatic floating breakwater, which was originally developed as a floating breakwater. In order to verify the performance of the breakwater as a WEC, the air flow velocity from air-chamber to WEC has to be evaluated properly. Therefore, air flow velocity, wave transformation and motion of floating structure was numerically implemented based on BEM from linear velocity potential theory without considering the compressibility of air within the chamber. Air pressure, meanwhile, was assumed to be fluctuated by the motions of structure and the water level change within air-chamber. The validity of the obtained values can be determined by comparing the previous results from the numerical analysis for different shapes. Based on numerical model results, wave transformation characteristics around OWC system mounted on the fixed and floating breakwaters, and motions of the structure with air flow velocities are investigated. In summary, all numerical results are almost identical to the previous research considering air compressibility. Therefore, it can be concluded that this analysis not considering air compressibility in the air chamber is more efficient and practical method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2018.11a
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• pp.59-60
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• 2018

The oscillating-water-column wave energy converter represents the complex physical characteristics associated with the water column, turbines, generator, and power converter. This study focuses on the derivation of the physical relationship between the water column and turbine based on the 1/ 4 scale model test. The aerodynamic characteristics of the OWC ducted turbine were simulated using an orifice. The turbine effect, a key element in the OWC-chamber performance evaluation, can be represented by the flow rate and pressure drop through the orifice. The turbine effect of OWC-WEC was confirmed to have a non-linear relationship from the measured flow rate and pressure drop in the model test.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 2015

This paper proposes a floating-type wave energy conversion system that consists of a mechanical part (yo-yo vibrating system, motion rectifying system, and power transmission system) and electrical part (power generation system). The yo-yo vibrating system, which converts translational input to rotational motion, is modeled as a single degree-of-freedom system. It can amplify the wave input via the resonance phenomenon and enhance the energy conversion efficiency. The electromechanical model is established from impedance matching of the mechanical part to the electrical system. The performance was analyzed at various wave frequencies and damping ratios for a wave input acceleration of 0.14 g. The maximum output occurred at the resonance frequency and optimal load resistance, where the power conversion efficiency and electrical output power reached 48% and 290 W, respectively. Utilizing the resonance phenomenon was found to greatly enhance the performance of the wave energy converter, and there exists a maximum power point at the optimum load resistance.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2012

Oscillating water column is the most widely used ocean energy converting systems all over the world. The operating performance is influenced by the efficiencies of the two converting stages in the OWC chamber-turbine integrated system. In order to consider the effects of the turbine, the orifice model are carried out. The VOF based Numerical Wave Tank (NWT) is utilized to simulate the water column oscillation inside the chamber and the results are compared with corresponding experimental data. This paper reviews the state of the art in interaction among wave elevation inside the chamber and air flow rate in the duct, which are considered the turbine effects. Effects of incident wave conditions and several shape parameters on the operating performance of OWC chamber are investigated numerically. The effects of the impulse turbine on the integrated system and interaction among the wave elevation, pressure and air flow velocities variations are investigated.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.520-523
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• 2005

국내에서 대체에너지 공급 비율을 보면 청정에너지로 분류할 수 있는 태양열에너지, 태양 광 에너지, 풍력에너지를 모두 합하여 대체에너지의 $10\%$이하이며, 대체에너지 비율의 $90\%$ 이상을 폐기물로부터 얻은 에너지가 차지하고 있는 실정이다. 신재생에너지원에는 여러 종류가 있지만 해양에너지원에 대해 대상을 설정하고 이에 대한 부존량을 살펴보면 진도 주변의 해역에서 조류발전 부존량이 약 362만 kW가 되며, 시화호와 새만금 등지에서의 조력발전 부존량이 650만 kW, 동해안 후포 연안을 비롯한 파력발전 부존량이 20만kW가 되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이에 따라 해양에너지를 실용화하기 위한 연구가 국내외에서 연구되고 있다. 본 논문은 권선형유도발전기를 갖는 조류발전 시스템을 대상으로 연구한 결과로 권선형유도발전기를 제어하기 위한 전력변환장치 개발과 관련한 내용이다. 신재생에너지원이 발전 단가 측면에서 경제성을 갖기 위해서 발전기 용량은 5MW 급까지 대용량화되어 있는 단계이지만 국내에서는 아직 MW급 이상이 되는 권선형 유도발전기와 권선형 유도발전기를 제어하는 전력변환장치에 대한 연구 실적이 없는 상황이다 이에 본 논문에서는 1MW급의 권선형유도발전기에 대한 개발 사례를 소개하면서 유효전력제어, 역률제어, 계통연계방법, 그리고 운전 속도에 따라 변동되는 회전자측에서의 피상전력 특성 등을 제시하고자 한다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.182-189
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• 2012

This study suggests a dynamic design process for deciding properly design parameters of a mass-spring type Wave Energy Converter (WEC) to achieve sufficient energy conversion from wave to power generator. The WEC mechanism, in this research, consists of a rigid sprung body, a platform, suspension springs and dampers. The rigid sprung body is supported on the platform via springs and dampers and vibrates translationally in the heave direction under wave excitation. At last the resulting heave motion of the sprung body is transmitted to rotating motion of the electric generator by rack and pinion, and transmission gears. For the purpose of vibration analysis, the WEC mechanism has been simply modelled as a mass-spring-damper system under harmonic base excitation. Its maximum displacement transmissibility and steady state response can be determined by using elementary vibration theory if the harmonic ocean wave data were provided. With the vibration analysis results, the suggested dynamic design process of WEC can determine all the design parameters of the WEC mechanism, such as sprung body mass, suspension spring constant, and damping coefficient that can give sufficient relative displacement transmissibility and the associated inertia moment to drive the electric generator and transmission gears.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2010

The water elevation inside the air chamber and bi-directional air flow in the duct of Oscillating Water Column wave energy converter is one of the most important factors to evaluate the operating performance. The numerical wave tank based on the commercial software Fluent 6.2 in the present paper is employed to generate the incident waves. The numerical wave tank consists of the continuity equations, the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the two-phase VOF function. The oscillating amplitude of water column in the chamber and bi-directional air flow in the duct installed on the top of the chamber are calculated, and compared with experimental data to verify the validation of the present NWT. The nozzle effects of the chamber-duct system on the relative amplitudes of the inner free water surface and air flow rate in the duct are investigated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2019.11a
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• pp.150-152
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• 2019

In this study, the effects of the wave field changes due to the coastal structure on the hydrodynamic performance of the OWC wave energy, converter are analyzed using a three-dimensional numerical wave tank technique (NWT). The OWC device is simulated numerically by introducing a linear pressure drop model, considering the coupling effect between the turbine and the OWC chamber in the time domain. The flow distribution around the chamber is different due to the change of reflection characteristics depending on the consideration of the breakwater model. The wave energy captured from the breakwater is spatially distributed on the plane of the front of the breakwater, and the converted pneumatic power increased when concentrated in front of the chamber. The change of the standing wave distribution is repeated according to the relationship between the incident wavelength and the length of the breakwater, and the difference in energy conversion performance of the OWC was confirmed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2011

Wave overtopping reef system with guide vanes convert incident wave energy on the reef type structures into electric power. Previous studies decided shape parameters likes slope, height of the sloping arm and shape of guide vane. In this paper, using these shape parameters produce 1/7 scale model and construct integration scale model system combining water pressure head turbine, power generation, power control, operating control and monitoring system. In these systems, we measure the overtopping and power generation with different wave heights and periods and compare the results with the previous studies. This was confirmed designed overtopping and power generation, then we suggest efficient control system.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2016

This paper describes power generation from sea waves by using linear permanent magnet generator. A buoy is placed on the ocean surface and connected to the generator. The wave energy is carried out from the movement of a buoy. An electrical conversion system is needed between the generator and the grid. For an analysis of the power system, the modeling of the linear generator and converter system was proceeded. This paper proposes vector control method for wave power generation system using linear generator. In order to verify the proposed method, simulation and experiment performed and the results support the validity of the control scheme.